How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore
02-11-2005, 11:30 AM
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How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore
Well,I picked up DA rear disk brakes last fall,still have not got em on yet,but I desided to go ahead and put the rear sway bar on,got it finished today
I bolted up the DA lower control arms a couple of weeks ago,thats step one I guess.So I get the tow hooks off the car to get an idea of how long I need the plates to be.I deside they need to be 7" long,so I go and cut 2 plates 2"x7"x1/4" thick.
I took the tow hooks and clamped them to the plates,then took the proper size transfer punch and marked the centers of the holes,then drilled them in the plates,the pic of the plates with holes drilled got deleted by mistake
I then bolt up the plates in place of the tow hooks,the green line is where the tow hook goes to,so i'll still be able to use em.I deside that the "ear" on the sway bar bracket has to go to still be able to bolt up the to hooks also,so off the ears go
Put the brackets back on the car and figure out there to weld,bracket is not touching the plate in this pic:
The plate endes up being a little too long,would have been ok,but I hacked off the extra anyhow,they ended up being 6 1/8" i think it was.Here is a pic of the two welded together:
I deside to put in a brace since I cut off the "ear" ,would have probally been ok,but what the hell,I was in a welding mood I used some 3/16" x3/4" I had.
Here is some pics of the combo welded and sandblasted:
Here they are painted ready to bolt up:
I go to bolt them up and deside I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling about the length of the bolts,so I deside to leave the tow hooks off till I can get some longer bolts,they may have been ok,but I want maximum thread engagement damnit.
Here is the brackets/sway bar mounted with new ES bushings:
And thats how I did it.I pondered welding the bracket straight to car,desided against it,pondered drilling subframe and putting washers inside trunk,desided against that too.I think they'll be strong enough seeing as the towhooks have 3 14mm bolts holding them on,the DA I took the stuff off of only had 2 12mm bolts holding the swaybar bracket on.If I were to do it again,I'd use 3/16" for the plate and 1/8" for the brace.That would be plenty strong enough.The stuff I used is what I had left over from fab'n a hydraulic/battery rack ,I be too cheep to buy **** if I can help it.
I bolted up the DA lower control arms a couple of weeks ago,thats step one I guess.So I get the tow hooks off the car to get an idea of how long I need the plates to be.I deside they need to be 7" long,so I go and cut 2 plates 2"x7"x1/4" thick.
I took the tow hooks and clamped them to the plates,then took the proper size transfer punch and marked the centers of the holes,then drilled them in the plates,the pic of the plates with holes drilled got deleted by mistake
I then bolt up the plates in place of the tow hooks,the green line is where the tow hook goes to,so i'll still be able to use em.I deside that the "ear" on the sway bar bracket has to go to still be able to bolt up the to hooks also,so off the ears go
Put the brackets back on the car and figure out there to weld,bracket is not touching the plate in this pic:
The plate endes up being a little too long,would have been ok,but I hacked off the extra anyhow,they ended up being 6 1/8" i think it was.Here is a pic of the two welded together:
I deside to put in a brace since I cut off the "ear" ,would have probally been ok,but what the hell,I was in a welding mood
I used some 3/16" x3/4" I had.Here is some pics of the combo welded and sandblasted:
Here they are painted ready to bolt up:
I go to bolt them up and deside I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling about the length of the bolts,so I deside to leave the tow hooks off till I can get some longer bolts,they may have been ok,but I want maximum thread engagement damnit.
Here is the brackets/sway bar mounted with new ES bushings:
And thats how I did it.I pondered welding the bracket straight to car,desided against it,pondered drilling subframe and putting washers inside trunk,desided against that too.I think they'll be strong enough seeing as the towhooks have 3 14mm bolts holding them on,the DA I took the stuff off of only had 2 12mm bolts holding the swaybar bracket on.If I were to do it again,I'd use 3/16" for the plate and 1/8" for the brace.That would be plenty strong enough.The stuff I used is what I had left over from fab'n a hydraulic/battery rack ,I be too cheep to buy **** if I can help it.
Last edited by DpSyChO; 03-18-2009 at 05:44 PM.
02-11-2005, 12:23 PM
#3
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (DpSyChO)
hey thats awesome. way to go. thanks for the pics.
i bet your car feels more stable now, with just this addition alone.
heres another build up of the same idea.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/lets-put-sway-bar-crx-didnt-have-one-2822784/
ALTERNATE METHOD
you can fish the bolts thru the frame in the rear.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/diy-adding-oem-sway-bar-your-std-dx-hatchback-2649526/
i bet your car feels more stable now, with just this addition alone.
heres another build up of the same idea.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/lets-put-sway-bar-crx-didnt-have-one-2822784/
ALTERNATE METHOD
you can fish the bolts thru the frame in the rear.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/diy-adding-oem-sway-bar-your-std-dx-hatchback-2649526/
Last edited by Tyson; 08-20-2010 at 03:29 AM.
02-11-2005, 12:30 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Tyson)
curious, why not just run a dc sway bar instead of the da? I've yet to see anyone do this. Am I the only one?
02-11-2005, 12:34 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Dave421)
DC is 13mm. DC 4dr is 14mm. DA is 14.7mm. EF is 15mm. DA 4dr sedan is biggest, 15.9mm
on second thought, DC rear bars mount to the rear subframe right? DA/EF swaybar mounting style is better in my analysis.
Modified by Tyson at 1:46 PM 2/11/2005
on second thought, DC rear bars mount to the rear subframe right? DA/EF swaybar mounting style is better in my analysis.
Modified by Tyson at 1:46 PM 2/11/2005
02-11-2005, 12:36 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Dave421)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave421 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">curious, why not just run a dc sway bar instead of the da? I've yet to see anyone do this. Am I the only one?</TD></TR></TABLE>
The reason for me is cause I got the rear sway with the rear disk brake setup.
What diameter is the dc?
The reason for me is cause I got the rear sway with the rear disk brake setup.
What diameter is the dc?
02-11-2005, 12:41 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Tyson)
why run a smaller sway, i thought people install bigger sways to have more "oversteer" ?
its just a question, im not knocking your work, which by the way looks great...
its just a question, im not knocking your work, which by the way looks great...
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02-11-2005, 12:46 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (DpSyChO)
Your fabbed up brackets look just like the ones included in the ST rear sway bar kit. They look clean.
02-11-2005, 12:48 PM
#9
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (fourthgenhatchB17)
crxgator, he went from NO bar to DC 14.7mm bar. not smaller.
stock bars fit better than ST bars. ST didnt go a good job of clearancing, it usually hits aftermarket exhausts.
stock bars fit better than ST bars. ST didnt go a good job of clearancing, it usually hits aftermarket exhausts.
02-11-2005, 12:50 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Tyson)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">DC is 13mm. DA is 14.7mm. EF is 15mm. DA 4dr sedan is biggest, 15.9mm
on second thought, DC rear bars mount to the rear subframe right? DA/EF swaybar mounting style is better in my analysis.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I thought DA and EF were 15mm and DA 4door was 16mm,the bushings I took off the brackets were marked 14.7 on the side,measured with me starrett dial calipers read 15mm,guess the paint added the extra .3mm?
Check out the bushing part numbers,I used the 16.5112r
http://energysuspension.com/pages/acura.html
http://energysuspension.com/pages/hon1.html
What size front bar does the dx have ,18mm isnt it?
on second thought, DC rear bars mount to the rear subframe right? DA/EF swaybar mounting style is better in my analysis.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I thought DA and EF were 15mm and DA 4door was 16mm,the bushings I took off the brackets were marked 14.7 on the side,measured with me starrett dial calipers read 15mm,guess the paint added the extra .3mm?
Check out the bushing part numbers,I used the 16.5112r
http://energysuspension.com/pages/acura.html
http://energysuspension.com/pages/hon1.html
What size front bar does the dx have ,18mm isnt it?
02-11-2005, 12:56 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Tyson)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">crxgator, he went from NO bar to DC 14.7mm bar. not smaller.
stock bars fit better than ST bars. ST didnt go a good job of clearancing, it usually hits aftermarket exhausts. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I think what he means is why not just go and find a Si rear sway bar. Not very hard to do but hey, if he had a DA one layin around, why not use it?
About the ST bar clearance, i have the greddy SP1 and i just readjusted (aka bent, lol) one of the hangers and im good to go.
stock bars fit better than ST bars. ST didnt go a good job of clearancing, it usually hits aftermarket exhausts. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I think what he means is why not just go and find a Si rear sway bar. Not very hard to do but hey, if he had a DA one layin around, why not use it?
About the ST bar clearance, i have the greddy SP1 and i just readjusted (aka bent, lol) one of the hangers and im good to go.
02-11-2005, 01:04 PM
#12
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (DpSyChO)
energy suspensions catalog dimensions are very nominal.
the bushings markings on the stock rubbers also seem to be nominal. ive measured it also with my mitutoyo digital caliper and found it to be a bit off. but i wouldnt use the ES catalog as any type of reference.
stock front DX and Si bars are 17.8mm, so 18mm is about right. the HF front bar is smaller, 17.3mm, so about 17, but NOT 16mm. the wagon front sway bar is 19mm. DA front bar is 22mm.
these are all OD, and stock bars are hollow, so who knows what thickness they have. im not going to hacksaw any of my own good swaybars....
the bushings markings on the stock rubbers also seem to be nominal. ive measured it also with my mitutoyo digital caliper and found it to be a bit off. but i wouldnt use the ES catalog as any type of reference.
stock front DX and Si bars are 17.8mm, so 18mm is about right. the HF front bar is smaller, 17.3mm, so about 17, but NOT 16mm. the wagon front sway bar is 19mm. DA front bar is 22mm.
these are all OD, and stock bars are hollow, so who knows what thickness they have. im not going to hacksaw any of my own good swaybars....
02-11-2005, 01:16 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Tyson)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">energy suspensions catalog dimensions are very nominal.
the bushings markings on the stock rubbers also seem to be nominal. ive measured it also with my mitutoyo digital caliper and found it to be a bit off. but i wouldnt use the ES catalog as any type of reference.
stock front DX and Si bars are 17.8mm, so 18mm is about right. the HF front bar is smaller, 17.3mm, so about 17, but NOT 16mm. the wagon front sway bar is 19mm. DA front bar is 22mm.
these are all OD, and stock bars are hollow, so who knows what thickness they have. im not going to hacksaw any of my own good swaybars....</TD></TR></TABLE>
I was gonna grab the front sway from the junk yard when I went back to get the front knuckles off the same car as the other stuff, it started raining about the time I finished with the knuckles so I forgot about the front swaybar .I read here and there that too big front swaybar on a fwd car =more oversteer than is already there.Anyone have a DA front sway on their 4g?
Modified by DpSyChO at 2:44 PM 2/11/2005
the bushings markings on the stock rubbers also seem to be nominal. ive measured it also with my mitutoyo digital caliper and found it to be a bit off. but i wouldnt use the ES catalog as any type of reference.
stock front DX and Si bars are 17.8mm, so 18mm is about right. the HF front bar is smaller, 17.3mm, so about 17, but NOT 16mm. the wagon front sway bar is 19mm. DA front bar is 22mm.
these are all OD, and stock bars are hollow, so who knows what thickness they have. im not going to hacksaw any of my own good swaybars....</TD></TR></TABLE>
I was gonna grab the front sway from the junk yard when I went back to get the front knuckles off the same car as the other stuff, it started raining about the time I finished with the knuckles so I forgot about the front swaybar .I read here and there that too big front swaybar on a fwd car =more oversteer than is already there.Anyone have a DA front sway on their 4g?
Modified by DpSyChO at 2:44 PM 2/11/2005
02-11-2005, 01:19 PM
#14
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (DpSyChO)
i have a DA front sway in my garage. its 22mm for sure. (DA 4dr seems to also have a larger front swaybar, 23mm) and definately lighter than an ST 22mm, which i also had at the same time to compare. so im pretty sure theyre hollow stock.
youre better off keeping your stock DX front swaybar. yes, some ppl will use an HF front sway bar sincei ts smaller, but you can also acheive lesser antiroll by loosening the endlinks.
Modified by Tyson at 2:33 PM 2/11/2005
youre better off keeping your stock DX front swaybar. yes, some ppl will use an HF front sway bar sincei ts smaller, but you can also acheive lesser antiroll by loosening the endlinks.
Modified by Tyson at 2:33 PM 2/11/2005
02-11-2005, 02:32 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (HatchBox)
nothing funny about it. its a direct swap, the bars are bent the exact same way. bushings are different, but i guess you can squish the 18mm ones.
02-11-2005, 03:27 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (HatchBox)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HatchBox »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thats funny a DA swap bar directly bolted up to my STD...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Are you talking about the front or rear?
Are you talking about the front or rear?
02-11-2005, 03:28 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (4drEF)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 4drEF »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That look beautiful!
Good job on those plates!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks
Good job on those plates!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks
02-11-2005, 03:29 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (DpSyChO)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DpSyChO »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you talking about the front or rear?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Both.
Both.
02-11-2005, 03:31 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (Tyson)
Dude that is awesome!!! 
You think you could do a write up. Where did you get the materials to fab that up. I had the Si bar on my DX but took it off for fear that it wasn't strong enough.
You think you could do a write up. Where did you get the materials to fab that up. I had the Si bar on my DX but took it off for fear that it wasn't strong enough.
02-11-2005, 05:44 PM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (d15maverick)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by d15maverick »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude that is awesome!!! You think you could do a write up. Where did you get the materials to fab that up. I had the Si bar on my DX but took it off for fear that it wasn't strong enough. </TD></TR></TABLE>
The material is cold roll steel,local machine/welding place,also lowes hardware,home depot i think ,tractor supply co.,these 3 cost a little more than the machine shop though.Another way to make it would be to use 3/16x2" angle the right length with the tow hook holes drilled,have a peice of 3/16x2"x5"long flat bar welded to the end,brace it with a peice of small flat bar.I'll see if I can find some scrap and sit it up like I'm try'n to describe.You would use the type of sway bar mounts like the front uses? the ones with the bolt one each side of the bushing.you cant tell by the glare on the steel rule I was measuring with,but it is 4" from bottom of bracket to middle of swaybar on a DA,I think EF may be almost an inch less? But that also puts it closer to the exhaust.
You think you could do a write up. Where did you get the materials to fab that up. I had the Si bar on my DX but took it off for fear that it wasn't strong enough. </TD></TR></TABLE>The material is cold roll steel,local machine/welding place,also lowes hardware,home depot i think ,tractor supply co.,these 3 cost a little more than the machine shop though.Another way to make it would be to use 3/16x2" angle the right length with the tow hook holes drilled,have a peice of 3/16x2"x5"long flat bar welded to the end,brace it with a peice of small flat bar.I'll see if I can find some scrap and sit it up like I'm try'n to describe.You would use the type of sway bar mounts like the front uses? the ones with the bolt one each side of the bushing.you cant tell by the glare on the steel rule I was measuring with,but it is 4" from bottom of bracket to middle of swaybar on a DA,I think EF may be almost an inch less? But that also puts it closer to the exhaust.
02-13-2005, 07:47 AM
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Re: How I put a DA rear sway bar on my DX hatch,pics galore (HatchBox)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HatchBox »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thats funny a DA swap bar directly bolted up to my STD...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'd think all DX hatches were same? What year is your hatch,year of DA rear sway?
I used 92 integra ls rear sway,me car is a 90 dx.
I put it on a lift and tried turning brackets around,swapping sides,the brackets would not bolt up,maybe I wasnt holding my tongue right?
I'd think all DX hatches were same? What year is your hatch,year of DA rear sway?
I used 92 integra ls rear sway,me car is a 90 dx.
I put it on a lift and tried turning brackets around,swapping sides,the brackets would not bolt up,maybe I wasnt holding my tongue right?